Health Insurance
Nürtingen-Geislingen University requires that all international students have adequate health insurance. Upon registration, all students must provide proof of insurance which is valid throughout the whole semester or study period (September 1st to February 28th for the winter semester and March 1st to Augustst for the summer semester). Without this proof you will not be admitted.
Make sure that you have sufficient health insurance during your travelling/arrival day(s) and the interim period in case you take out a German health insurance after your arrival.
Students from countries which have a social security agreement with Germany
Students from EU member states and from Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Tunesia, Turkey and former Yugoslavian countries do not need to take out a health insurance policy in Germany. They only need to bring along an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) from their insurance company. (Homepage of European Commission).
It is possible that your insurance will not cover all costs in Germany. Before you enter the country make sure you know exactly what services you are entitled to in Germany.
Non-EU-students
For students from countries outside the EU we recommend to take out a statutory health insurance with a German insurance company after your arrival (approx. 65 €/month). Some countries' health insurance schemes can be used in Germany, so you may be able to continue being insured in your own country. We recommend asking your local health insurance adviser whether your health insurance is sufficient for your stay in Germany. You should make sure that it allows for high costs in case of an accident or operation. And it must include the costs for repatriation.
For detailed information on the health insurance system in Germany please see attached health insurance waiver which must be signed by you and your university coordinator (only non-EU students).
For your orientation about prices and benefits you can look at
- AOK (public) health insurance: http://www.unilife.de/bawu/rd/
- or Mawista as one example of private student health insurance at http://www.mawista.com/side
If you need to take out health insurance with a German health insurance company (private or public), the International Office will assist you. Please contact Lydia Rambold (lydia.rambold@
hfwu.de) or Carola Staib (carola.staib@hfwu.de).
Doctor's Visit
It is wise to find a general doctor in you neighbourhood. This way, you will not have to start the search for one when you are ill. Please ask the employees of the international office, your mentor or fellow students or consult the yellow pages to find a doctor in your neighbourhood.
To be able to benefit from all the medical care, treatment and preventive measures offered by the health insurance system, you will be asked to present your health insurance card at your visit each quarter of the year. At your first visit in each quarter of the year you have to pay the "practice fee" of 10 Euro in cash.
Do keep in mind to consult your general doctor first at all times. Should you need to see a specialist, you should get an “Überweisung” from your doctor first. Only in case of emergencies you can visit the hospital directly. In case of emergency or at night or weekends when you need to go to the emergency service, you will again have to pay the "practice fee" of 10 Euro in cash.
Medications
Medical drugs can be obtained from pharmacies (Apotheke). The co-payment for prescribed drugs is 5 to 10 Euros depending on the price of the medical drug.